The Earl of Wessex will be attending a performance on Wednesday and will be the first royal visitor to see the plays since 1977 when the late Princess Margaret attended.

News of his attendance has helped boost ticket sales following a fall of overseas visitors in recent times.

The Prince will watch The Prophecy, which starts at the Creation and runs to the slaughter of the innocents after the birth of Jesus Christ.

Chairman of the production, Jo Sykes, said: "We are all looking forward enormously to this. It will be an exciting evening for the cast and all of us who have joined forces to stage the plays in 2003."

The medieval plays are being set entirely to music for the first time on the Cathedral Green and will include spectacular lighting effects.

The performances run from today to July 19 and are staged every five years. Full details from 01829 271851.